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Party Scene

The party: The Palette and Palate Stroll is a cultural and culinary event highlighting the accomplishments of local artists, art galleries, chefs, and restaurants. In celebration of its 10th year, attendees were invited to stroll Charleston’s historic French Quarter, making stops at eight participating galleries and tasting delightful creations from the local chefs paired with each.

Highlight: Guests watched Robert Lange Studios’ resident artist J.B. Boyd as he painted live and explained the process behind his work.

Overheard: “Wait…are you sure St. Michael’s is on the right side of the street?”—a guest scrutinizing a piece at the Anglin Smith Gallery.

The Party: Holy City Brewing opened their doors and their taps for an art-inspired night of fundraising. Guests enjoyed a silent auction, live music from Justin Osborne of local band Susto, flower crowns, a photo booth, cornhole, and of course, frosty brews.

Highlight: Dancers Lori DeNicola and Ellis Bradford moved in sync across a large canvas with charcoal, leaving behind an abstract representation of lungs.

The Party: Guests gathered amidst the walls of historic tomes and candlelit bookshelves in the Charleston Library Society as the King Street cultural institution hosted its third annual Night in Monte Carlo event.

Highlights: Partygoers gambled the night away at the many blackjack, roulette, and craps tables—all for a worthy cause.

Overheard: “Yahtzee! I mean, blackjack! Wait, what game is this again?”

Beneficiary: All proceeds from the event supported the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund.

The Party: Golfers and Charleston Ronald McDonald House supporters gathered for the 13th Annual Charity Golf Classic at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Highlight: Over 300 golfers packed the course and endured the hot temperatures to ensure they did not miss their opportunity to give back to Ronald McDonald House and play one of America’s favorite and most difficult courses, The Ocean Couse.

Beneficiary: Ronald McDonald House. With this year’s tournament RMH has raised over $1,000,000 in support of families in their time of need.

The Party: Partygoers dressed to impress in Top Gun and ’80s-themed apparel for an evening on the deck of the USS Yorktown complete with live music and dancing, cuisine from Top Shelf Catering, and cocktails from Firefly Moonshine and Sweet Carolina Whiskey Liqueur.

Highlights: Guests jammed out to nostalgic tunes by ’80s cover band The Spazmatics.

Overheard: “Goodness gracious greatballs of fire! This party is hoppin!”

Beneficiary: A portion of the funds raised supported Tooth Angel, an organization providing cosmetic surgery at an affordable price.

The Party: Capping off this annual 17-day celebration of the arts, the Spoleto Festival finale invited guests to Middleton Place for a day of local and regional bands, a beer garden, gourmet picnic fare, and headlining musical act, St. Paul and The Broken Bones.

Highlight: A post-concert fireworks display was an explosive send-off to this festival season.

The Party: Bearded and moustached men—and women—from across the country gathered at the Music Farm for the Sixth Annual Southeastern Beard and Moustache Championships hosted by the Holy City Beard and Moustache Society. Fans of facial hair packed into the hall to view the whiskered participants.

Highlight: Paul Roof, also known as “The Beard Can Professor,” toasted the audience with a Holy City Brewing Chucktown Follicle Brown—the very beer can his image graces.

Overheard: “If this is your first beard and moustache competition—get ready! This is going to be a ride...”

The Party: Brooklyn-based sculptor Alyson Shotz presented her solo exhibit Force of Nature at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Members of the Halsey enjoyed an hour-long preview party before the reception opened to the public.

Highlight: Alyson Shotz mingled with guests, happily answering any questions and offering insight into her work.

Overheard: “At first I thought it was nothing, and then I saw the sky moving.”—Guest in awe of the artist’s 27-minute video “The Bedroom, Time Lapse,” a moving recreation of Van Gogh’s The Bedroom.

The Party: New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe released the third installment of her Lowcountry Summer Trilogy, The Summer’s End, celebrating its launch with a book signing at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Highlight: The Hallmark Network announced plans to adapt Mary Alice Monroe’s 2006 novel, The Beach House, into a film starring Andie MacDowell to be released in 2016.

The Party: With all the joie de vivre of La Belle Époque, a period of French history from the 1870’s to World War I characterized by peace, prosperity, and an enthusiasm for the fine arts, The Gibbes Museum hosted its sixth annual street party. Guests gathered in the Charleston Visitors Center Bus Shed for a night of French fare from area chefs, haute couture, signature cocktails, and live music.

Highlight: Accordian players and guitarists transported guests to the streets of Paris, playing French tunes as cabaret dancers captivated the crowd with their costumes and movements.

The Party: Friends and family gathered to honor Charles Fox of Fox Music House for his work mentoring Charleston’s young artists and his commitment to Arts Education. Guest enjoyed speakers such as Nella Barkley and Mary Gould, as well as entertainment from "Summer in NYC."

The Party: The Charleston Junior League hosted Charleston’s “only Derby Gala” at the Daniel Island Club. Guests donned impressive headwear, sipped Mint Juleps, and participated in both silent and live auctions.

Highlight: All proceeds from the event went towards the Junior League’s partner charities, including Habitat for Humanity, East Cooper Meals on Wheels, and the Lowcountry Food Bank.

The Party: Memminger Auditorium was the setting for the 8th installment of this funkified local arts and culture festival complete with musicians, dancers, circus performers, visual artists, and a laser light show.

Highlight: Mix Master Mike of Beastie Boys fame closed out the night, bringing the entire crowd to the dance floor with pulsating beats from his turntables.

The Party: The South Carolina Aquarium honored Jeff Corwin at their 15th Anniversary Conservation Gala, awarding the animal and nature conservationist with the Environmental Stewardship Award. After a seated dinner, guests were invited to an after party where they were given a sneak peak of the aquarium’s new Shark Shallows exhibit.

Highlight: The water bowl performer mesmerized onlookers with her flexibility and fluid movement through the water. Amazing!

Overheard: "Oh my gosh! The carpet is a lady!" - a guest remarked at the entrance "carpet," in fact the tail of a mermaid

The Party: Over fifteen local chefs and over twenty-five local farmers joined forces to create delicious gourmet food, which they served to 300 hungry and excited guests. Palmetto Brewery, Coast Brewing, Firefly Vodka and Grassroots Wine provided the libations.

Highlight: The auctioneer ramped up the competition during the live auction as guests bid on an evening clamming and roasting with Clammer Dave; “I wanna hear this tent scream!” Clammer Dave jokingly told guests that when they went clamming with him they would experience “lightning, thunder, predators and poachers.”

Overheard: “We have a little head a little heart and a little liver.”—Cypress

The Party: Guests were ferried over to Goat island for a day of all-you-can-eat oysters, fish stew, kids’ activities, a charity auction, and plenty of live music from Marci Shore and Roger Bellow, Southern Flavor Bluegrass, Red Dog Ramblers, and The Distinguished Gentleman.

Highlight: Once the first batch of oysters were ready, the shucking began, and the party was in full swing.

The Party: Rainy weather didn't stop this race as 12 teams gathered at Blackbaud Stadium to show off their masterpieces in the 6th annual Charleston Bed Race. From swings to cradles, this group proved thats beds aren't just for sleeping! Cardboard, mattresses, and wheels went a long way with a bit of creativity.

Highlight: King of Pops won for the second year in a row after a close call against Dan's Tramp Stamp and the Money Bags Band.

Overheard: "Couldnt have picked a better day," laughed Original Charleston Bedswing team member Preston Stone in response to the cold, wet weather.